Northern Irish rock icons Ash have announced a special 30th anniversary edition of their seminal debut album 1977, set for release on 16th October. Alongside the reissue, the band will embark on an extensive global tour celebrating the record that catapulted them from teenage upstarts to Britpop-era mainstays.
Originally released in 1996, 1977 became a defining album of its time, blending high-octane energy with infectious hooks across standout tracks like Girl From Mars, Goldfinger, Kung Fu and Oh Yeah. Three decades on, the anniversary edition revisits the album’s legacy with a range of formats including a 2LP EcoRecord vinyl, expanded 2CD edition, and digital release, all featuring bonus material that digs deeper into the era.
The expanded editions bring together the original album alongside rare and previously unreleased material. Fans can expect the long-rumoured Bittersweet Blue, updated versions of classic tracks, and a full live performance recorded at STABAL Studios, capturing the band revisiting 1977 in its entirety alongside fan favourites from the same period. A curated selection of B-sides will also feature on the vinyl edition, showcasing the depth and creativity that surrounded the album’s original release.
To mark the exact 30th anniversary of the album’s release, Ash will perform a special live-streamed acoustic set from Belfast’s Oh Yeah Centre on 6th May. The intimate performance will see the band revisit songs from 1977, alongside stories and reflections on the record that defined a generation.
Beyond the reissue, Ash are taking 1977 back on the road with a huge global tour kicking off in September. The run includes dates across Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Europe, and a major UK and Ireland leg in December, bringing the album’s timeless energy to audiences old and new.
Three decades later, 1977 remains a cornerstone of British guitar music—an album whose youthful urgency and melodic brilliance still resonates, and one that continues to define Ash’s enduring legacy.
UK & Ireland Tour Dates:
SEPTEMBER
16th – Dublin, 3Olympia Theatre
17th – Dublin, 3Olympia Theatre
19th – Manchester, O2 Victoria Warehouse
20th – Edinburgh, Corn Exchange
21st – Gateshead, The Glasshouse
23rd – Bristol, The Prospect Building
25th – London, Troxy
Ash Light Up Scala & Celebrate Ad Astra With Career-Spanning Set And Graham Coxon Collaboration



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